By Chika Uju(USA)
The Nkwerre Aborigines Union America (NAU-America) 2025 Convention has come to an end with tremendous impacts on members and guests who participated Joyfully throughout the three (3)days event which took place at Newark, New Jersey.
In his address, the National President, Nze/Sir Ike Okanu commended all sector members for their unflinching support to his leadership since his emergence as the National President while urging them not to relent as faith, unity, confidence and courage are the essentials of success in carrying out their plans for the betterment of Nkwerre Ancient Kingdom.
Okanu added that the Union will continue with their previous programme of Education and Empowerment of the Youths, as well as rendering financial assistance to the less privileged students in Nkwerre Secondary Schools.
He however disclosed that all the proceeds from the National Convention has been earmarked for school supplies, scholarships and payments for West African Examination Council, WAEC fees for indigent students in the area.
"Education helps to reduce poverty, improve health outcome and also promote democracy"
Sir Okanu, the Dike-Oha of Nkwerre lauded the host who doubles as the Chapter President, Mr Kingsley Abuchi and committee members for their sacrifices for the success of the convention as he urged the NAU members to ignore rumors and unfounded fears to enable the union progress more.
Speaking also, the President emeritus of the Union, Dr Emeka Chinaka who gave steward of his leadership style within the period, noted that the Union has been paying WAEC fees, helping local vigilantes and the Police in Nkwerre by making sure their vehicles are functional, alongside provision of communication gadgets, boots, raincoats, touchlight among other things to support their operations in the area.
"We have also been supportive to the local vigilantes and the police in Nkwerre"
Chinaka further recalled that under his watch, the Union distributed a lot of educational materials (school supplies) to all the schools in Nkwerre such as school bags, pens, makers,books, rulers and other things.
He equally disclosed that the Union had awarded scholarships to outstanding students of Nkwerre Origin, adding that some NAU-AMERICA members and other individuals, prominent sons and daughters of Nkwerre origin had before now paid school fees fór students in Okwuamara Township school Nkwerre among others.
"They have also built school desk for students and pupils in and around schools in Nkwerre LGA"
He encouraged the new leadership to uphold the objectives of Nkwerre Aborigines Union which is anchored on excellence, transparency and accountability so as to give all a sense of belonging to the Union (NAU-America) as he pledged his continuous support to the leadership under Sir Ike Okanu while urging members to cooperate with the entire house to enable the new leadership succeed.
The entire house (members and guests) poured out enconiums on the outgoing administration as they pledged loyalty to the new Administration.
Adding his voice, one of the Patrons of NAU-AMERICA, Nze Joe Okwu reminded Nkwerrerians that Nkwerre Community belongs to umu Nkwerre as Nkwerre does not belong to any individual while urging all to lead honest and peaceful lives.
NAU-America commended the Chief Launcher and his wife,
Chief Odoemena and Jane Uzoma (a.k.a Odo-Nkwerre) for their handsome donation to the Union.
The children were not left out as they displayed to the admiration of the members and guests respectively.
The Union however resolved that the Union's next Convention will be at Minnesota by May 2026 adding that the Annual WAEC registration fee will be paid for three (3) prominent schools in Nkwerre namely: St.Augustine Grammer School, Nkwerre, St.Catherine Girls Secondary School, Nkwerre and Nkwerre High school.
The house also resolved that they will keep on supporting the local vigilantes in the community under Nkenkenyi since government do not pay them as at when due hence the house will provide welfare packages to argument what they get from government.
Highlights of the day was an Award of Excellence presented to the former national president Dr. Emeka Chinaka by the present National president, Sir Ike Okanu, followed by donations, as the members, guests and children took to the floor on tunes of Nkwerre cultural music and other Igbo songs.